Kevin Cuneo: Meyer's star still on rise

Incoming Erie Philharmonic board President Charlie Ingram said he's pleased that outgoing Executive Director Audrey Szychulski has been able to use her experience to springboard to a bigger job as director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts. Szychulski helped line up the performers for the Philharmonic's 100th season, which starts later this year. Ingram also noted how fortunate Erie is to have Daniel Meyer as its music director. "We've built a lot of momentum since Daniel joined the orchestra, and he's already a star," Ingram said. "I think everybody in Erie would love for Daniel to stay connected to the orchestra as long as possible." ... It's hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the Wegmans on Peach Street opened. Store manager Jim Bure said a giant cake will be cut and shared with customers on Friday at noon. He also said the store is now the most up-to-date Wegmans in the system. ... Congratulations to Al Nocciolino, promoter of the Erie Broadway Series, who recently won his third Tony Award. Nocciolino is one of the producers of the hit Broadway show, "Kinky Boots," which took home a slew of Tony Awards. ... Speaking of theater, Erie's Nick Adams, who received such good notices a year ago for his performance in Broadway's "Priscilla Queen of the Desert," is touring in Disney's "The Little Mermaid." When it plays in Pittsburgh on July 9, you can bet many of his Erie friends and family will head down to see the show. ... Michael Morris, former theater professor at Gannon and Mercyhurst who went on to star in numerous television shows, is visiting Erie. Morris battled some health issues in 2012, but he looks and sounds great.

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After showing so much promise when she appeared in shows at the Erie Playhouse, Mercyhurst Prep and McDowell High School, Emily Brooks is starring in a film with Dean Cain called "The Appearing." I understand it's a major role for Brooks, 23, who's already had roles in several films. ... These are heady days for Ray Luniewski, who's barely had time to recover from his triumphant turn as one of the main organizers of the Perry 200 Grand Parade. Now it's on to Luniewski's Lake Erie Fanfare, which will mark its 30th year on July 31. More than 1,000 top youth musicians from across the nation will participate in the competition at Veterans Stadium. The event is returning to the stadium, where it began in 1983. The fun starts at 7 p.m. ... Chuck Pora alerted me to a fascinating YouTube video in which Erie native Don Elbaum talks about some of the highlights of his nearly 60-year career as a boxing promoter. Elbaum recalls, after one of the fighters on his card failed to show, putting on the gloves against an opponent who outweighed him by 40 pounds. But his most interesting comments focus on Lou Bizzarro's 1976 title fight at the Erie County Fieldhouse against Roberto Duran. Elbaum said he tried to take advantage of Bizzarro's speed by setting up a 30-foot ring. "The standard size was 24 feet, and when Ray Arcel (who worked Duran's corner) saw it, he looked at me and said, 'I thought you had class.' I worshipped Arcel, and that one hurt," Elbaum said. ... Gene Ware will sign copies of his new book, "A History of Presque Isle -- as told through conversations with the Park's legendary hermit, Joe Root," on June 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble. ... Mike McCoy coaxed Ara Parseghian and Dave Casper to headline his charity golf tournament at Notre Dame on Sept. 19. Good to see Mike back in action after the death of his wife, Kia, in March.